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Walt Disney World is supa fun, but it’s also go-go-go-go. Sometimes ya just gotta relax.

Of course, there’re all kinds of ways to accomplish that. But after a long, hard day of Disney touring, I love to head to one of my favorite Disney Bars and Lounges.

“Bar” might not be the first word you think of when you picture Mickey Ears and Pixie Dust. But actually, these are some of my favorite spots on property for a number of reasons.

And I know you agree, because when I first published the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, a comprehensive Index of Disney World’s Bars and Lounges was one of our readers’ top requests.

Well — we heard you! And I’m happy to let you know that the DFB Guide includes reviews of every Bar and Lounge in Walt Disney World!

Let’s dive into the Index and take a closer look at a few. You know my favorites, like Territory Lounge and the Dawa Bar. But today, I want to take you on a tour of a few places you may not have discovered yet.

A Niche Menu and Free Beer: The Wave Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary resort is a great place to take in a relaxing breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Seldom crowded, the restaurant, located in the quiet back corner of the hotel’s lobby offers a market-inspired menu at a much lower price point than you’ll find at Disney’s suite of signature restaurants. You’ll also find some delicious breakfast options.

But in addition to interesting eats, you’ll also find a pretty cool bar and lounge area.

The Bar at Disney’s The Wave Restaurant

While the food menu is market-driven, the drink menu features some specialties, too. The Wave’s wine list features New World Wines, primarily from the Southern Hemisphere. And nearly all of the wines featured have one thing in common — screwcaps! Sealing wines with screwcaps is a way to battle cork taint, an unfortunate chemical reaction that can ruin a good bottle of wine. So don’t be put off by screwcaps the next time you see one; many quality New World wines, especially those from New Zealand and Australia, are sealed this way.

Wines at the Wave

Do your tastes run to beer rather than wine? The Wave also features a nice selection of Organic Beers. In fact, if you’re a guest staying at the Contemporary or Bay Lake Towers, you can enjoy a Complimentary Organic Beer Tasting on Saturdays from 3-4PM. (Remember, this is JUST if you’re staying at the resort.)

Beer Flight at The Wave

Just stopping in for a drink? Try the Beer Flight. The presentation is pretty impressive.

A Bar That Switches Things Up: Kona Island Coffee/Sushi Bar

Another favorite stop of mine certainly lives up to the name “bar” — but for completely different reasons. In this case, we’re (mostly) trading cocktails for java and some interesting eats.

New Tiki Statue in Lobby at the Polynesian!

The Polynesian Village Resort has just undergone a major facelift. We’ve welcomed new spots, like the Pineapple Lanai (the resort’s purveyor of Dole Whips these days) as well as the crazy popular Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (waiting times have been up to 6 hours during its soft opening!)

Trader Sam’s Door Sign

But with all of the changes, the resort has maintained most of its beloved eateries, including [Read more…]

We are getting our first details today about the restaurant that will replace Kouzzina at Disney’s BoardWalk when it closes later this year.

Trattoria al Forno will join other eateries at the deluxe hotel and entertainment district. The restaurant is slated to open this December.

The menu will feature Italian fare with an emphasis on regional specialities and classic preparations. Many ingredients will actually be made from scratch, in-house. We can’t wait to try the freshly handcrafted Mozzarella and the house-made Cavatelli!

The restaurant will also have wood-burning ovens, and they’ll put them to good use making — you guessed it! — Neapolitan-style Pizza! Will it be like Via Napoli meets the BoardWalk? Sounds good to me!

I’m Hoping for Pizzas Like the Quattro Fromaggi from Via Napoli!

But they aren’t stopping there. Eating through Trattoria al Forno’s menu will be like [Read more…]

Downtown Disney (currently transitioning to Disney Springs, with the official renaming set for 2015) has opened its second of two Starbucks locations.

West Side Starbucks in Downtown Disney

You may want to grab your own cuppa joe before settling in to take this tour – the West Side location is HUGE, so there is lots to see!

Starbucks Location in Downtown Disney’s West Side

Before we step inside, one of the unique outdoor features is the grass roof, aided in its growth by recycled coffee grounds.

Grass roof as seen from the side

Grass roof

As you approach the door to enter, you’ll notice that this is a Starbucks Reserve location. More on that to come…

Starbucks Reserve door handles

While the Marketplace location that opened a couple of weeks ago is a walk-up counter for grab-and-go coffee, the West Side location is large enough that there is a dedicated room just for ordering and picking up your coffee. The queue is waiting for you!

Queue for the ordering counter

Welcome to Starbucks!

Ordering room

If you are a Starbucks regular, you may not even need to glance at the menu, but it’s there, just in case .

Menu board

You can grab a bite from the bakery case as well. While there are no location-specific treats, I learned that this location carries just about every item from the La Boulange pastry line including coffee cake, cheese danish, cookies, muffins, croissants, scones, and breakfast sandwiches.

Bakery case

Bakery case

Packaged sandwiches, salads, and cheese and fruit boxes are also available.

Once you pick up your coffee, you can proceed to the next room and grab a spot to relax.

Indoor seating

Since it is anticipated that this will be a very busy spot, the name of the game is seating, and lots of it.

Indoor seating

Indoor seating

Seating at the Reserve Coffee Counter

I liked this group table – a smart addition for a family vacation destination (there are a couple of group tables in the outdoor seating area, too, which we’ll see a bit later).

Large table

You can even gain some coffee knowledge if you take a look around. Chalk-style murals depict regions where coffee beans are harvested, as well as a little history of the French Press brewing system.

Mural

Mural

French Press mural

A few cool antique coffee grinders and measuring scales are tucked into wall shelves.

Coffee antiques

Antique scale

Everywhere you look, you’ll find more coffee-inspired details.

“Coffee sack” Pillow

Beans at the Reserve Counter

Changing screen showing progess of the coffee bean

With lots of wood and black walls, this spot might be rather dark, but large windows provide plenty of natural light as well as a great view of Downtown Disney and the lake.

Window wall

There are two really unique features in this room to share. One is the interactive screen. The screen is interactive in that you can “draw” on it (think etch-a-sketch, without the little pen).

I also mention the Anaheim Starbucks because you can use this screen to check out what’s happening out there from your spot at Disney World!

“Live from Anaheim”

Of course, Anaheim is three hours behind the east coast, so there wasn’t much action to be seen during my morning visit, since they weren’t open yet. But there was still fun to be had — occasionally you can catch a glimpse of the chalk version of yourself, and see what they would be seeing in Anaheim.

Interactive screen

I kind of felt like I was in the “Take On Me” video (by A-ha!) from WAAAAAY back in the day. If you remember that, then I salute you, fellow child of the eighties! (AJ’s Editor Note: “I TOTALLY had that cassette single!!!!!!! This is why Wendy and I are friends.”)

Obviously, part of what’s involved in this technology are cameras, so a disclaimer is present letting you know where to go if you prefer not to be filmed during your visit.

Disclaimer

The other special thing in this room is the Reserve Coffee Counter. If you are looking specifically for Reserve Coffee, save yourself some time and bypass the main ordering section, since you’ll find the Reserve Coffee in the seating room. It has it’s own register, so you can make your purchase without waiting in the main line.

Reserve Coffee Counter on the left

Reserve Coffee Counter

Reserve Coffee is offered at select Starbucks locations, featuring very small batches of “rare and exotic” beans. These upscale brews are [Read more…]

So, we thought we’d give you a quick glimpse at the newest java stop in Downtown Disney… the Marketplace Starbucks is open and ready for business (with another one coming to the West Side soon). Let’s have a look!

Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks

You’ll find the location tucked in between the front entrances into the World of Disney store.

Marketplace Starbucks at World of Disney

The first thing you’ll likely notice is the Starbucks Coffee signage in front of the signature green siren logo. The A frame mirrors those of the entrances to the store.

Starbucks Coffee Signage

From that point, what you see is what you get! This location is walk-up only, with no seating other than the regular tables around Downtown Disney. This is a spot for grabbing your beverage and continuing your stroll.

Front view of Marketplace Starbucks

Speaking of beverages, all the Starbucks favorites are here… as well as some of that new “Oprah Chai” you may have heard about.

Beverage Menu

Beverage Menu

One day I’m gonna order that, just to hear myself say it: “Oprah Chai me!”

Anyhoo, there is also an assortment of standard Starbucks snacks, including pastries from the new “La Boulangerie” line of treats that may have made it to your local store.

Starbucks food window

Cookies by the register

You simply walk up to one of the two ordering windows…

Ordering windows

… then pick up your beverage on the side. After that, you’re all set to visit the rest of the shops and restaurants, with a little caffeine boost to help you along.

Left side pickup window

Right side pickup window

While that’s the basic gist, there are a few cool details to share. Only viewable from [Read more…]

With the exception of the Chocolate Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich (since there is no improving upon chocolate and chocolate ), some of the fun behind the treats at L’Artisans is that they are customizable with your choice of 16 flavors of house-made ice cream and sorbet.

List of 16 Flavors

The same is true of theCafé Glacé: pretty much the only dilemma here is picking your flavor. Even after I had placed my order and paid, I still wasn’t sure which scoop of ice cream to choose.

Ice Creams and Sorbets

It was a tough call considering the options of White Chocolate Coconut and Hazelnut, but ultimately I went with the Caramel fleur del sel (salted caramel).

Cafe Glace

Caramel ice cream layered between coffee and whipped cream

While the base of this beverage makes it what it is, you can’t ignore the [Read more…]

The walls are down and the doors are open! Disneyland’sDowntown Disney has just welcomed one of the most unique Starbucks stores in the nation.

Downtown Disney Welcomes Starbucks!

This LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified store is beyond gorgeous. First off, you may be wondering what LEED is; I myself had to look it up to get some more information.

LEED certification encourages “green” building, using sustainable products in the construction of the building. It also requires Energy Star performance ratings on appliances, lighting, machinery, etc.

Hand Painted “Welcome to Starbucks Anaheim, California” Mural

This Starbucks has all that and more. Let’s take a look inside!

Atmosphere

Both the interior and exterior of the store are lined with upcycled box car wood. It has been sanded and stained to a beautiful golden brown color. You can actually see the holes where the bolts originally held the box cars together.

Other design elements include hand painted murals and a tree stump that was cut into a bench for seating. Starbucks wanted to bring in hand crafted elements that compliment their hand crafted beverages.

Up-cycled Box Car Wood with Hand Painted Murals

More Box Car Wood with Mural

The focal centerpiece of the store is a 9 panel LCD screen that features original content from the areas of the world that Starbucks sources their coffee.

The images have been modified to look as though they are watercolors, and change every minute or so. The only other Starbucks in the nation to features this same screen is in New York’s Times Square location.

All Content on the LCD Screen is Original to Starbucks.

All Content on the LCD Screen is Original to Starbucks

When designing the store, Starbucks knew that its visitors would be in the area expecting some Disney magic. Looking to impress guests and spread some of their own pixie dust, elements were added to this new store that have yet to be introduced to any other Starbucks location.

The main feature is the interactive digital chalkboard. I immediately noticed this when I walked in the doors. It does two different things. First, it acts as a drawing board allowing guests to use their fingers to write messages, draw pictures or play a fun game of tic tac toe.

How about a game of Tic Tac Toe?

Of course I couldn’t resist trying it out for myself…

Disney Food Blog Was Here!

Second, it creates its own pictures using images it “sees” in front of it.

Sure enough, I watched for a few minutes and I noticed that the man sitting near it was all of a sudden featured in a chalk type drawing right there on the board. Very cool!

Hey Guy! Look, you’re on the screen!

By the way — it has a disclosure right there on the wall stating that they are using scenes and people in that area of the store to create the unique chalkboard drawings, so you’ve been warned that you might be part of the artwork.

Video Disclosure

Above the barista work space, Starbucks has added a light up map featuring locations where they source their coffee.

Light Up Coffee Sourcing Map

Seating

This particular Starbucks has very little indoor seating. In fact the only seating is really a few small benches and the round stools that can be seen in front of the interactive screen.

Indoor Seating

Instead, the seating was designed to be a patio experience; “alfresco” is what I was told specifically. The patio was built around a large pre-existing tree. Not wanting to uproot this long time resident, Starbucks made it the focal point of the patio.

The seating around it is very inviting. In fact, if it weren’t for the World of Disney being right next door, you might easily forget that you were just steps away from the Main Gates. I can definitely see this area being at full capacity most, if not all of the time. It’s a great spot to take a break.

“Alfresco” Seating

Another element unique to this store is the living wall towards the back of the patio. The wall features 1000 native plants and acts as a backdrop to more patio seating.

Living Wall with Patio Seating

Menu

In addition to their regular beverage menu, this particular Starbucks location has a “Starbucks Reserve” menu. They have a special reserve coffee bar that serves up some rare and exotic coffee blends that can not be found at most Starbucks locations. The Reserve menu changes on a regular basis.

The Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar: Serving Up Unique & Exotic Blends

You can also find the familiar refrigerated cases that serve up prepackaged foods, snacks, bottled water, juice, milk and more.

Starbucks Refrigerator Case

Pastries and and treats can be found as well.

Starbucks Pastries

Merchandise

This location has the typical Starbucks branded gear available for purchase. You can buy coffee, water bottles, cups, mugs, etc.

Starbucks Branded Merchandise

They also have a location-specific Orange County mug.

Starbucks Orange County Mug

I was hoping to see some Starbucks/Disney colab merchandise, but alas it was no where in sight. I did ask if it was in the works and the answer was, “We aren’t ruling out the possibility.” So, basically, don’t hold your breath!

Grinds to Go
Reserve coffees can be purchased to take home.

Starbucks Reserve Coffees Available to Take Home

And…. If you need some additional energy to go, you can grab boxes of VIA, tea or coffee to take with you.

VIA, Teas & Coffee for Purchase

Overall

Overall, I think that Starbucks did a great job designing a location that fits right in at the Happiest Place on Earth. The design elements are modern and playful, a perfect Disney fit. I also love that it provides a great little spot for fueling up before a long day in the parks. It’s also the perfect retreat if you need a break…

Just a few hours in and already a super long line.

Customers Gladly Welcoming Starbucks to Downtown Disney, Anaheim

Welcome to Downtown Disney, Starbucks!

Have you had a chance to visit the new Starbucks in Downtown Disney? If so, did you have a favorite design element? Did you try the Reserve coffees or play with the digital chalkboard? Let us know in the comments below.

Today, we’re back with more photos from Spice Road Table, Epcot’s newest restaurant!

Spice Road Table and Shops in the Morocco Pavilion

The table service spot has been enjoying rave reviews from our staff and guests alike since its soft opening on Saturday. Business has been brisk, and we have enjoyed bringing you photos and reports of many of the menu items!

Spice Road Table

But Spice Road Table is only part of the story. When the new restaurant debuted, it was part of a newly renovated and expanded waterfront presence in Morocco.

Returning is the popular Art of Henna, where guests can have their very own temporary henna tattoos applied.

Getting Your Henna Tattoo is Part of the Fun!

The entire front portion of the Morocco Pavilion has undergone a bit of a shift-around since Spice Road Table moved in. The Mo’Rockin stage, home to the popular Moroccan live band that plays here throughout the day, has moved to the other side of the walkway.

Mo’Rockin Stage

Also returning is the waterfront gift shop. Souk-Al-Magreb, Gifts of Morocco is your one-stop shop for authentic Moroccan clothing and other items. But it’s also a fantastic find if you’re looking to recreate some of the flavors you just experienced at Spice Road Table.

Souk-Al-Magreb, Gifts of Morocco

Today, we’re taking a little look around this interesting spot to get a look at all the Mediterranean delicacies that you can head home with as souvenirs!

Souk-Al-Magreb, Gifts of Morocco

Enter Souk-al-Magreb via the door from the World Showcase Promenade, or or you can take a stroll through the shop directly from Spice Road Table. If you come through the front door, the first thing you’ll see food-wise is this wonderful little display of spices in tagines. I kept thinking that the collection would cost a small fortune in the Spice Route Days!

Spice Display

Behind the curio housing the spices, the back of the round table holds a [Read more…]

We’ve had lots of change, new announcements, and brand new experiences.

So today, we thought we’d take a look back at this year, and review the Top 10 Disney Food News Items of 2013!

From new coffee to new restaurants, new technology to new ice cream, we have a ton to cover!

Let’s get started!

1. COFFEE!

When Starbucks and Disney announced in 2012 that the coffee giant would be coming to Disney Parks, the news was huge! And when the first Walt Disney World locations began opening in 2013, the story once again topped the list of Disney food headlines.

Starbucks at Main Street Bakery is Right in the Middle of the Magic

The first location to open was Main Street Bakery on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA. While some loyal fans of the historic spot decried the chain store intrusion, many coffee lovers were thrilled that they could now enjoy their favorite brew in the shadow of Cinderella’s Castle.

The reopening of Fountain View Cafe in Epcot as the second WDW Starbucks location seemed to ruffle fewer feathers, since the themeing for the futuristic ice cream parlor wasn’t as beloved as Main Street Bakery. Still, patrons were irked with the lack of seating, even if the many, many bays for ordering mean that your java arrives fresh and fast.

We’ve been enjoying Joffrey’s products for ages at the kiosks throughout the parks, so this was welcome news to many. So far, we are hearing that you seem pleased with the switch from Nescafe to Joffrey’s.

If you’d like to get in on the fun, head over to Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza on Flickr and join the group. We’d love to see even more of your great food shots! Let’s see what you’ve found!

Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte at Main Street Bakery

The real victory for many coffee lovers at Disney parks has been the opening of Starbucks in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The first location opened at Walt Disney World transformed fan favorite Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom to a mix of part bakery, part retro coffee shop.

While reviews have been a somewhat mixed, many guests are super happy to stroll down Main Street USA with their favorite Seasonal Iced Latte in hand!